It's official: the final whistle has blown on FC Nantes' Ligue 1 survival. After years of dancing with relegation danger, the Canaries have finally dropped, confirming their place in Ligue 2 for the 2026/27 season.

The decisive blow came Friday night with a 1-0 defeat to RC Lens. That loss sealed Nantes' fate, as they can no longer catch Auxerre for the relegation playoff spot. It's a bitter end to a season that felt like a long, painful ordeal from the start.

Nantes began the campaign under Portuguese coach Luis Castro, but he managed just two wins in 15 Ligue 1 matches before being shown the door. Ahmed Kantari stepped in but fared little better, collecting only six points from 10 games. In a last-ditch effort, club legend Vahid Halilhodzic was brought in as a firefighter to salvage the season. While he sparked some improvement in spirit and play, even the Bosnian veteran couldn't save a squad that was simply too limited for the top flight.

This marks Nantes' first relegation since the 2012/13 season. The last time they went down, it took four long years to claw their way back to Ligue 1. Now, they'll have to rebuild and fight all over again.

On the flip side, Friday's victory was a triumph for RC Lens. Les Sang et Or have locked up a podium finish in Ligue 1, guaranteeing a spot in next season's Champions League. The win temporarily moves them within three points of league leaders PSG, who face Brest on Sunday night. For Lens, this is a moment to celebrate—a testament to their rise as a force in French football.